Drone Use Over George Washington Bridge Leads to Two Arrests

Police in New York City arrested two people for operating a drone over the George Washington Bridge that came within 800 feet of a police helicopter.

Police said the Aviation Unit helicopter spotted the small unmanned aircraft near the bridge at 12:21 am on Tuesday. The drone continued to circle the bridge, forcing the chopper to change course to avoid it.

The chopper pilot notified the 34th Precinct in Washington Heights after observing the drone land on a parked vehicle. When police arrived, they recovered two drones with remote controls.

Police arrested Wilkins Mendoza and Remy Castro, both of Manhattan, on reckless endangerment charges. Information about their lawyer wasn't immediately available. NBC New York reported that the drones were confiscated.

The Federal Aviation Administration hasn't set standards for certifying the safety of drones.